Tigard Retainers
Protect Your New Smile
Dr. Bryce Willcox and the team at Bull Mountain Orthodontics want you to enjoy your new smile for a lifetime, and retainers are an important part of that. Protect your investment with a retainer, and keep your new smile straight and happy for decades to come.
Replacement Retainers Through Retainer Club
Need a fresh set of retainers? We partner with Retainer Club, a trusted orthodontic lab, to make replacements simple and affordable. We submit a high-resolution scan of your teeth so you can order replacement retainers anytime and have them shipped directly to your door at a reduced price.
It's a cost-effective, convenient way to keep your retainers fresh and your smile in place.
Retainers for Every Smile
When you wear a retainer, you ensure that the work you've put in stays in place over time. Just because your teeth have been straightened doesn't mean they won't shift back into their old places if left alone. Retainers keep your work intact.
Dr. Willcox offers retainer options to match your specific case and preferences. You'll work together with Dr. Willcox to figure out which style of retainer makes sense for you and your lifestyle.
Essix Retainers
Essix retainers are clear, lightweight trays that fit snugly over the teeth and look similar to clear aligners. They're a great choice if you're interested in a discreet, comfortable way to keep your smile on track.
We'll create your Essix retainer by using digital scans of your teeth to ensure a customized, precise fit. And just like Invisalign, they're removable, nearly invisible, and easy to wear. That makes them a convenient option for everyday life.
Hawley Retainers
This is the option that probably comes to mind when you here the word "retainer". They're an effective, time-tested choice for maintaining your smile after treatment. They're great for their durable design and their ability to adapt over time.
We'll customize your Hawley retainer to your smile, and since they're adjustable, Dr. Willcox can refine the fit in the case of any minor shifting in your teeth. We can often do this without even having to replace the retainer.
Fixed Retainers
In some cases, we might recommend a fixed retainer to help keep specific areas of your smile in their ideal positions.
We'll bond a fixed retainer to the back of the lower front teeth if Dr. Willcox feels that this is the best choice for your case. When we place a fixed retainer, we'll generally combine it with a removable option to support your smile's overall stability.
Phase 1 Retainers
It's sometimes best for our younger patients undergoing phase 1 treatment to have a retainer to stabilize their smile between the end of treatment and phase 2. Once they've developed appropriately, they can then move on to phase II with a smile that's ready to get the most out of that phase of treatment.
Caring for Your Retainer
It’s great to get your braces off, but that isn’t the end of orthodontic care. To protect your results, it’s important that you use your retainer as directed.
Follow these simple guidelines to help your smile stay straight and healthy:
- Wear your retainers whenever you’re home unless we tell you otherwise. You can remove them to eat and brush your teeth and to swim or play contact sports.
- Bring your retainer to follow-up appointments so we can make sure your retainer still fits correctly.
- Keep your retainer case with you so your retainers stay safe when you’re not wearing them. Always placing them in your case can prevent costly replacements.
- Call us to schedule an appointment as soon as possible if you notice that your retainer doesn’t fit properly or is cracked or broken.
- Call us right away if you lose your retainer. The longer you go without a retainer, the more quickly and likely your teeth will shift out of alignment.
- Clear your retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and warm—but not hot—water. This helps remove plaque and eliminate odors.
- Practice talking, reading, or singing out loud while wearing your retainer so your mouth adjusts quickly.
- Keep your retainers away from heat—including hot water, hot cars, the washing machine or dryer, and even your pockets—so they don’t warp and break easily.
- Treat your retainers with care and they’ll last as long as you need them to during your retention phase.
Retainers FAQs
Wondering what life with retainers is like after orthodontic treatment? Here’s what to expect when maintaining your smile with retainers at Bull Mountain Orthodontics in Tigard.
Keep Your Healthy Smile with Retainers
When it comes to protecting your new smile, nothing is more important than your retainer. Give the team at Bull Mountain Orthodontics a call with any questions or if you need a new retainer. We’ll schedule an appointment and make sure your smile stays strong and healthy for a lifetime.